Leaving Cebu was a Difficult Thing To Do.

As our departure time approached, we were entertained by a dance from locals because there was a fiesta going on. It was like a farewell party just for us. How lucky can we get?

2:00 pm. Lunch time at Buko Bar. We decided to eat light but our order still turned out to be quite heavy. Service was superb and we were having so much fun that our hearts were aching with the thought of having to go back home to Manila. We all vowed to go back with the rest of the family before June. 

Marco Anzani, the Executive Sous Chef was kind enough to take time out to talk to your bloggerina about how he runs things in Shangri-la Mactan. Now, this resort, being as huge as it is, has 5 restaurant outlets, not including the function rooms and the Club floor. There's the Acqua, Tides, Buko Bar, Tea Spring, Cowrie Cove and the Lobby lounge. Add to that room service, the Horizon Club and all the functions/events that are booked in the hotel, this guy has his job cut out for him. 

Being in Cebu for 5 years, Chef Marco has found his true home when he married a Cebuana and now has a 9 month old baby girl. I love stories like this. I am a romantic fool, sometimes too much of a fool that it leads me to heartache. But with Chef Marco, the only heart issues I can have is a heartburn because of all the food available in this resort. Although I wish that I could have seen more seafood, Cebu being so close to the ocean. Still, with so many outlets, one can never get tired of the choices. We didn't have time to try out the Chinese restaurant but I did hear that the food is another whole story on its own.

Chef Marco was telling me about his love for the beach when the Food and Beverage Director came by to join our table. Darren Conole is Australian and is new to the city. Being with Shangri-la Mactan for only 5 weeks, he has not been able to see much of the city and country. I was about to ask him if he has been to Boracay but then I thought, that would be stupid since he already lives by the beach which personally, I think is much better than Boracay. Sure, the sand might be better in Bora but until Shangri-la opens, I would have to say that Shang Mactan is for me, the best resort yet.


Back to the topic, sorry that I easily get distracted. I blame it on the sunburn affecting my brain.

ANYWAY, since Darren is new to the country, he has yet to see other parts of the island. I asked him if he was overwhelmed with so much work since the resort has a number of restaurants, he said, "It is all about teamwork. Fortunately the Cebuanos are very hard working. They are friendly and eager to learn. We train people to sharpen their skills but we hire people because of their attitude."

Very well put if I may say. The hotel is planning an expansion project to add another 200 rooms. My oh my, I just hope that it doesn't get too crowded on this new place I call heaven because that would spoil it for me. I like the fact that there was a lot of free space to just roam and enjoy the view. Boracay has become too crowded that it has lost its magic of peace and serenity that it was so known for a decade or two ago.

As it was getting very close to leaving Cebu, I realized that what really made my stay here perfect was not only did I gain a very memorable experience, I also gained 2 new friends who was kind enough to share a few moments of their time.

Darren, I wish you luck on your baby girl who's due any time soon. When you come to Manila, make sure you ring me so I can help you shop for baby clothes.

Chef Marco, thank you for being a part of a wonderful journey my sisters and I had in Cebu's Shangri-la Mactan.

How sweet life is for these two men. A beautiful hotel, great surroundings, super duper friendly Cebuanos to work with, huge salaries, their wives and baby girls to complete their lives. Add the fact that they are featured in my blog and they now have a friend like me...boy such lucky guys! (Bwa ha ha ha!)

As for the photo, I was asked to stand on the elevated part of the garden because I am short. Thanks Darren for being so considerate. I am sure this photo disguises my height.

Sunday Sun in Cebu!

On our way back from Cowrie Cove, we passed by a Kiddie Pavilion where you can drop off your kids for their own activities and sports. This is what makes Shangri-la Mactan a great resort. It caters to all ages! From my niece of 8 months old to my dad of 70! We will all find something to do and not a single minute of boredom. After one cocktail, this is what happened to my possy.



This is the Adventure Zone. It is open from 9 to 5 pm. Rates are as follows:

Two-hour session - P300.00/person
Half-day Package- P650.00/person
Full day Package includes lunch - P1,250.00/person
Three-day Package includes lunch - P2,750.00/person

I say...it is worth every centavo! Your kids will love it so much that they will forget they have parents!




Our last rays of sun in Cebu was the reason I am now half woman-half lobster. The snorkling was too good to pass since the fishes were so abundant and friendly. A snokling set is readily available for a cheap price of P300.00/hour.


We were given a bakeshop for feeding the fish and now, it will be difficult for me to see them steamed, fried, baked or served uncooked. Fish and I are friends. Anyway, here are some random photos that I took while unknowingly being cooked myself.

Had this double sided bag tag made for P150.00 at the Pier. A good remembrance of a trip, don't you think?

And for my last post on my Cebu experience, you would have to come back tomorrow for I am pooped! My body aches and I want to sleep but I dread the thought of the bed touching my skin. 

OUCH!!!

Cowgirls Hit the Cowrie Cove.

It was our last night in this paradise so we had to make sure we party.

11:00 pm. We went to Cowrie Cove, the only place in the resort that closes at 2 am. Everything else, closes quite early. But we were young and party like rockstars! So when we went to the bar, it was a bit of a disappointment when it was quite empty. Where were all the whiteys we saw at the beach earlier? Well since I am the only single gal anyway, the 2 cowgirls were not wondering where they were. Sigh...

As our party animal instincts were drifting off to the vast sea....entertainment came in a way of bottle throwing and breaking! Thankfully not by some wild drunks but by the bartenders who thought that we looked bored and tired. So they decided to put on a show! Sure they dropped a few bottles but it was nice of them to liven the evening up (even if in reality, these cowgirls were exhausted and wanting to get some zzzz's).





The bar chow here was actually very good. 3 cocktails and 1 order of calamari, shrimps in garlic sauce and chicken skewer came out to P2,031.97 including taxes.

Not so Blue in Bohol.

Blue Bohol....get it? (Bwa ha ha) Blue...? Get it now? (Haha) No? Hmmm, never mind.

April 26, 8:00 am.
We decided to take a day trip to Bohol and check out the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and manmade forrest. But before we did that, we had our breakfast at Acqua, a poolside restaurant that has a great view of the garden. Continental breakfast is served with lots and lots of fresh fruits and a wide variety of breads. (1,307.25 inclusive of taxes)









We took the ferry which meant we had to go to the Pier 4 in the city. There's a shuttle from the hotel to SM so we took that (P100.00/person, round trip). At the pier, we had to pay P425.00 for a one way ticket to Tagbilaran, Bohol. While waiting for the Supercat, I saw this lady who was dressed to kill! I wanted to send it to Chikatime.com but I figure, they just post famous people.

Anyway, the Chocolate Hills is about 1:20 minutes away from the Pier. You will be swarmed with hundreds of taxi drivers and tour guides who want to show you around. There are about 5 keyspots in Bohol aside from great resorts. The hills, tarsier, old churches, Lobok River (floating restaurant) and man made forrest. Since we only had a few hours in Bohol (last ferry departs at 6 pm) we decided to skip the churches and the floating restaurant since we were still so full from the heavy breakfast.

After haggling, and to those who know me, you know I am so good at it, I was able to bring down the rate of 2,300 to P1,500 for a SUV. And so our Bohol journey began with the long trip to the hills shaped like Kisses, the chocolate. When we arrived, it was 218 steps to the top of the viewing site where you can see the brownish hills which are actually turning a bit green already. There were hundreds across the fields. But to tell you my honest opinion, I was not impressed. I have seen other works of Mother Nature that just takes my breath away. The 218 steps was the only thing that took my breath away this time.







On our way back, we stopped at the man made forrest which is spooky! As soon as you drive through, the light disappears because of all the tall trees up above. There were not much cars so we decided to stop and get our photos taken.








It started drizzling so we decided to end the Bohol WItch Project and head on to to our last destination.


Tarsiers are small animals with enormous eyes and very long hind limbs. Their feet have extremely elongated tarsus bones, from which the animals get their name. The head and body range from 10 to 15 cm in length, but the hind limbs are about twice this long (including the feet), and they also have a slender tail from 20 to 25 cm long. Their fingers are also elongated, with the third finger being about the same length as the upper arm. Most of the digits have nails, but the second and third toes of the hind feet bear claws instead, which are used for grooming. Tarsiers have very soft, velvety fur, which is generally buff, beige, or ochre in color





At 6:15 pm, we take the 1 hour and 45 minute trip back to Cebu where the night life awaits us.

Our tour driver: Rey Villacorta, 09265748655, STAREX

Info about Tarsier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsier